[Americana] Noah, Mordecai M. Travels in England, France, Spain, and the Barbary States, in the Years 1813-14 and 15

New York: Published by Kirk and Mercein/London: By John Miller, 1819. First edition. 8vo. vi, (ii), 431, (1), xlvii pp. Presentation copy, inscribed by Noah on title-page to Col. Pawling (presumably Col. Albert Pawling): "Col Pawling from his friend the Author". Illustrated with an engraved frontispiece portrait of Noah and four engraved plates (including one folding). Modern quarter tan calf over marbled paper-covered boards, red morocco spine label, stamped in gilt; all edges trimmed; foxing to text and plates; repair at fore-edge of plate facing p. 317 ("Abdallah American Drogaman"). Rosenbach, American Jewish Bibliography 205; Shaw & Shoemaker 48941

Rare presentation copy of Mordecai M. Noah's account of his experiences while serving as the American consul to Tunis. Presumably inscribed to Col. Albert Pawling (1750-1837), American Revolutionary officer, and first Mayor of Troy, New York.

Noah was notable as one of the first American Jews to hold an important diplomatic position, and as American consul was instrumental in the release of American seamen who were being held as slaves in the Barbary States. In 1816, he was recalled from his position by Secretary of State James Madison, due to his religion, which caused outrage.

Col. Albert Pawling (1750-1837) was born in Dutchess County, New York, and served in the American Revolution, seeing action in the failed invasion of Canada, and afterwards commanding a Swiss regiment that protected the New York frontier. Following the war he served as the first Mayor of Troy, New York. While the extent of Pawling and Mordecai's friendship is not clear, records show that Pawling's wife, Eunice Porter Bird Pawling, corresponded with Mordecai, in her role in the the American Society for Colonizing and Evangelizing the Jews.

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Darren Winston, Senior Vice President at Freeman’s, has served as Head of Department for Books & Manuscripts, Philadelphia, since 2018. He has been a trustee of the Rosenbach Museum and Library since 2022, is a member of The Manuscript Society, The Bibliographical Society of America, and Philadelphia’s Philobiblon Club.

Raised in northern New Jersey, Darren moved to New York City in 1988 and began his career there as a bookseller in 1995. He spent the next 18 years selling to private clients and at East Coast book fairs. In 2003 he moved with his young family to Sharon, Connecticut where, in 2009, he opened his own bookshop. Darren Winston, Bookseller offered rare and vintage books, prints, fine art, and more, and hosted over 50 book signings and art shows. He was a trustee and, later, Board President, of the Sharon Historical Society, and for six years a trustee of Indian Mountain School in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Darren has hosted the radio program "Darren Winston's Book Report" for NPR-affiliate WHDD since 2009, appeared in the 2014 book-themed documentary The Paper Trail, and in 2024 he joined Antiques Roadshow as a books and manuscripts appraiser. From 1999 to 2005, Darren was the buyer and consultant to the Fine and Rare Books Department at Asprey, the British luxury goods company, at its New York headquarters. While there he spearheaded various in-store events including readings by Salman Rushdie and Dominick Dunne.

In 1993, Darren was hired as a Creative Consultant to Columbia Records, where he assisted in the repackaging of their 12-record Aerosmith back catalogue. He later sold his extensive collection of Aerosmith memorabilia, which he began amassing at the age of 14, directly to the band.

Darren now lives on the Main Line, outside Philadelphia, with his wife, two children, and dog. The family travels frequently to his wife's native England and Scotland. When not bookselling, he plays guitar in Pumped, an Aerosmith tribute band. Darren also appears on the top-rated PBS television program Antiques Roadshow.

Books and Manuscripts

[Americana] Noah, Mordecai M. Travels in England, France, Spain, and the Barbary States, in the Years 1813-14 and 15

Books and Manuscripts

[Americana] Noah, Mordecai M. Travels in England, France, Spain, and the Barbary States, in the Years 1813-14 and 15

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